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Writing into the Ether

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Anyone else buy heck-loads of books just for them to collect dust on a shelf? Only every book-lover I know, and I am no exception to this. There are just so many books I like the look of that I don’t get time to read them all.

I always have a book in hand but it means the ones that I buy in between fall through the cracks in my attention span. So this year, I have decided to give myself the goal of reading at least 10 books that are not (yet) part of my book club schedule.

Here is my definitive guide of books to read in 2018 and hopefully with any luck I will finish them and do mini-reviews on them later in the year! At least, that’s the plan…

1. A Closed and Common Orbit – Becky Chambers

Okay, I already have a head-start on this one. I keep picking it up and putting it down! Luckily the world the author has built is so iconic that I can actually just pick it back up and carry on but seriously. This book is only 384 pages… surely I can manage it!

2. The Power – Naomi Alderman

This story is based around the idea that women start to get super powers which give them an advantage over men- what’s not to love! I am hoping this one will be reviewed by the book club because I’d love to discuss it properly from an academic standpoint.

3. Dracula – Bram Stoker

I know – HOW have I not read Dracula?! I love vampires and supernatural stories, so why the heck would I not have? I wish to rectify this and read this (beautiful) copy that my father got me so many years ago.

4. The Muse – Jessie Burton

After reading The Miniaturist last year with a book club, I have wanted to explore this author more and revisit with The Muse. It’s a completely standalone novel but if it’s anything like the previous book, I should like it with any luck!

5. The Portrait of a Lady – Henry James

I have heard this mentioned a few times by my friend who has basically read every classic novel ever! She seems to have the know-how so, I thought I’d give this one a go! Fingers crossed it’s not anything like Dickens. Zzz.

6. The Fellowship of the Ring – J.R.R Tolkien

Last year, I happened upon a Tolkien appreciation group and accidentally got swept into it! I adored the films yet I’d not read the books. Analysing a few chapters at a time, I aim to get through it now I don’t have a teenage attention span. (But by gosh, page 130 and we haven’t left the bloody shire.)

7. The Other Boleyn Girl – Philippa Gregory

Why do so many of these books begin with “The”? I realised last year that I love a good historic fiction. My usual genre is sci-fi and fantasy but I enjoyed branching into these books in 2017 and intend to do so again!

8. Good Omens – Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

This copy looks well-read… but it’s not by me. I hear SO many good things about this collaborative novel between 2 of my favourite authors – Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. What the heck is not to love, surely? I don’t know how this is still unread. I am thoroughly disappointed with myself.

9. A Brief History of Time – Stephen Hawking

There had to be at least one science related book in here – it’s not the easiest read (I’ve tried but my brain just didn’t seem to comprehend it.) I am going to take a more analytical approach to it and EDUCATE MYSELF, DAMMIT.

10. Scott Pilgrim – Bryan Lee O’Malley

To finish, just a light read or 6. The full series of Scott Pilgrim have been sitting on my shelf untouched for 3 years because I DON’T WANT TO BEND THEM. I know… It’s sad right? I just need to grin and bear it… and maybe buy myself a book-stand.

So there you have it – my list of books to read in 2018!
What are your 2018 must-reads?

There are SO many more on my shelf that I now realise that I could write another 2 posts like this using my unread books. Oops. Well maybe this will give me a push!

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3 thoughts on “A Geek’s Guide: My Top 10 Books to Read in 2018”

All these books look awesome! I’m currently reading Harry Potter but after I want to move onto either Dracula or lord of the rings! Another one that’s taken my fancy is the new Disney twisted tales! They look amazing. Great list Amy!

The other Boleyn girl is really good, very well written characters, and a fantastic part of our history. I also love Dracula, which actually wasn’t what I expected at all! Need to read Good omens as there is a bbc adaptation currently being filmed which exciting!